If you are wondering what to do after a car accident in Lewisville, TX, start by protecting everyone’s safety, documenting the damage, and beginning the insurance and repair process.
A car accident can turn an ordinary day upside down in seconds. Even a minor collision can leave you dealing with vehicle damage, insurance calls, repair estimates, and questions about what happens next. If you are looking for collision repair in Lewisville, TX, knowing what to do in the hours and days after an accident can make the process far less stressful.
At Hail & Collision Repair Center, we believe an informed customer is a confident customer. This guide walks through the key steps after a collision—from protecting your safety at the scene to understanding estimates, insurance claims, and professional auto body repair.
Once everyone is safe, exchange information with the other driver. Gather their name, phone number, driver’s license number, insurance company, policy number, and vehicle information. If police respond, ask how to obtain the accident report or note the report number.
Quick answer: After a car accident in Lewisville, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move the cars out of traffic if you can. Call Lewisville Police at 972-219-3640 if a car can’t be driven safely or the other driver left. Then photograph the scene, exchange insurance information, and report the claim. Texas law lets you choose your own body shop, including where your car is towed.
It is also helpful to document the scene while details are fresh. Take photos of:
Photos do not replace a professional inspection, but they give your insurance company and collision repair shop useful starting information.
You must call the police if anyone is hurt or killed, or if a vehicle can’t be driven safely. That rule comes from Texas Transportation Code §550.026. For a crash inside Lewisville city limits, that means the Lewisville Police Department. Call 911 for emergencies and 972-219-3640 for everything else. The Texas Department of Insurance also recommends calling police if the other driver leaves the scene.
You can’t report a wreck online in Lewisville. The city’s online police reporting system doesn’t accept vehicle accidents or hit-and-runs, so call the non-emergency line instead.
Texas no longer takes “blue form” self-reports. TxDOT stopped accepting the CR-2 driver’s crash report in 2017. If no officer responds to a minor fender bender, keep your own photos and notes and give them to your insurer.
You don’t need the report to start an estimate. We can look at your car the same day, and your insurer can add the report when it’s ready.
A damaged bumper, dented door, or scratched fender can seem straightforward. However, modern vehicles are built with components hidden behind exterior panels. A low-speed impact can affect bumper reinforcement bars, brackets, wheel alignment, sensors, lights, wiring, or safety systems even when the visible damage looks small.
That is why it is important not to judge repair needs by appearance alone. A professional collision repair estimate is designed to identify both cosmetic and visible structural concerns. In some cases, additional damage may only become apparent after a damaged panel or bumper cover is removed.
For example, a rear-end accident may leave a small crack in the bumper cover but also damage mounting points behind it. A side impact might leave a dent in a door while affecting the door’s fit, window operation, or adjacent panels. An experienced body shop evaluates the full repair area, not just the first scratch you notice.
If your vehicle has warning lights, unusual noises, rubbing tires, a steering-wheel change, trouble opening doors, or a loose bumper or light, let the repair professional know right away.
After you are safe, but still unsure what to do after a car accident in Lewisville TX then promptly report the accident to the appropriate insurance company. Depending on the situation, that may be your own insurer, the other driver’s insurer, or both. Have your policy information, accident details, photos, and police-report information available if you have it.
Every policy and claim is different, so ask your insurer what it needs from you and keep a record of your claim number, adjuster’s name, phone number, and email address. Taking notes during calls can save time later.
It is also normal for an initial insurance estimate to change after a repair facility performs a more detailed inspection. If additional accident-related damage is found during repairs, the shop can document the damage and submit a supplemental estimate to the insurer for review. That process is part of many collision repairs and helps make sure necessary damage is addressed rather than overlooked.
In Texas, your insurance company can’t make you use a particular body shop. Under Texas Insurance Code §1952.301, an auto insurer can’t limit your coverage by restricting your choice of repair person or facility.
The same applies if the other driver was at fault. When you file against the at-fault driver’s policy, their insurer can’t require you to use a particular shop either.
What that means in practice:
For more, see the Texas Department of Insurance’s guide, Were you in a wreck? Tips for auto insurance claims.
Whichever route you take, we work directly with the adjuster. Our insurance claims assistance covers estimates, supplements and photo documentation, so you don’t have to relay messages between us and the insurer.
An online estimate is more than a price. It is a written plan for returning your vehicle’s damaged areas to proper appearance, fit, and function.
A thorough collision repair estimate may include:
At Hail & Collision Repair Center, customers can begin with a free, no-obligation online estimate. Upload clear photos of the damage and provide a few details about the vehicle and what happened. Our team can review the information and help determine the appropriate next step.
An online estimate is a convenient way to get started, especially when your schedule is busy or your vehicle is still drivable. However, photos cannot always reveal everything. A final repair plan may require an in-person inspection, especially after a collision where hidden damage is possible.
Good photos help the estimate process move faster. Before taking pictures, park safely in bright, even light if possible. Clean off heavy dirt or debris that makes the damage difficult to see.
Take several photos rather than one close-up. Include:
If there are damaged wheels, tires, lights, mirrors, or areas that no longer open or close properly, photograph those too. Include a brief description of what you noticed after the accident, such as a door rubbing, a bumper hanging loose, or a new dashboard warning light.
Clear documentation helps a repair professional understand what you are seeing before the vehicle arrives at the shop.
Once you choose a collision repair shop and authorize repairs, the process typically begins with a detailed inspection and repair plan. Parts may need to be ordered before repairs can begin. Repair time depends on the severity of damage, parts availability, insurance approval, vehicle make and model, and the type of work required.
A typical repair process may include:
Quality matters at every stage. A good repair is not simply about making damage less noticeable. It should restore proper panel fit, paint appearance, durability, and the condition of damaged components.
For paint repairs, color matching is especially important. Vehicle paint is affected by age, sun exposure, finish type, and factory color variations. Professional refinishing involves careful preparation and color blending so repaired areas look natural beside the surrounding panels.
Before authorizing repairs, it is reasonable to ask questions. A reputable collision repair shop should be able to explain the process clearly and help you understand what to expect.
Consider asking:
Be sure to read any repair authorization before signing it. If you have questions about your insurance coverage, deductible, rental reimbursement, or claim decision, contact your insurer directly. A body shop can help explain the repair process and provide repair documentation, but your policy determines coverage.
It can be tempting to wait on repairs after a minor accident, especially if the vehicle still drives. But delaying can sometimes make the problem worse. Cracked paint can expose metal to moisture. Loose bumper covers, damaged lights, sharp edges, or misaligned panels can create safety and drivability concerns. A small issue can also become more difficult to evaluate after additional wear or another incident.
Promptly getting an estimate does not obligate you to begin repairs immediately. It simply gives you information: what damage is present, what repair may involve, and what steps come next.
If your vehicle has accident damage, visible paint damage, dents, a cracked bumper, or concerns about alignment or safety features, it is worth having it evaluated by a professional.
Only if someone is hurt or killed, or if a vehicle can’t be driven safely. In that case, Texas law requires you to notify police right away. For a minor scrape with no injuries, you can exchange information and report it to your insurer. Call the Lewisville non-emergency line, 972-219-3640, if you want an officer to respond.
Submit the city’s accident report request form to the Lewisville PD Records Division in person or by mail. The fee is $6, or $8 for a certified copy, by cash or check. You can also buy the CR-3 report online from TxDOT about 10 days after the crash.
No. Texas Insurance Code §1952.301 bars insurers from limiting your choice of repair shop. That applies to your own policy and to claims against the at-fault driver’s insurer.
If the other driver was at fault, start with their insurer. If they deny the claim or delay it, you can use your own collision coverage. Your insurer can then recover the money and refund your deductible.
Yes. Send photos through our free online estimate. Getting an estimate doesn’t commit you to anything, and it gives you a second opinion to compare with the insurer’s.
After an accident, you should not have to navigate the repair process alone. Hail & Collision Repair Center serves Lewisville and surrounding North Texas communities with collision repair, paint repair, dent repair, bumper repair, hail damage repair, and insurance claim assistance.
To get started, submit photos of your vehicle’s damage through our online estimate form. It is free, convenient, and carries no obligation. Our team will review your information and help you understand the next step toward restoring your vehicle.
Your car deserves more than a quick fix. Now you know what to do after a car accident. Get a free online estimate from Hail & Collision Repair Center today.
Consumer information: Texas drivers may choose their repair shop, and an insurer may need to review additional accident-related damage found during repairs. For insurance-specific questions, review your policy or contact your insurer. Learn more from the Texas Department of Insurance.
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